Wolfpack makes it through season-opening victory against James Madison

David Kehrli @davidkehrliTN

Saturday

Sep 1, 2018 at 1:56 PMSep 1, 2018 at 2:01 PM

RALEIGH — It wasn’t easy — and it certainly wasn’t pretty at times — but North Carolina State got the job done Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium, defeating James Madison 24-13 in the season opener.

"(For now), I’m going to be happy because I’m 1-0," N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. "(Later) I will not."

The Wolfpack (1-0) was able to overcome all the mistakes and miscues mostly because of a passing game led by quarterback Ryan Finley and receiver Jakobi Meyers.

"We can’t put ourselves in those positions. I think we beat ourselves to start both halfs," Doeren said. "… Those kind of things, we’re going to have some real fun conversations about. But they’re learning opportunities."

Meyers’ 161 receiving yards were the most in N.C. State history in a season opener. His 14 receptions rank second in team history, behind the 15 passes caught by Jaylen Samuels a year ago and Torry Holt in 1998.

"Jakobi really played his heart out. He came down with some really, really tough grabs," Finley said. "He says just put it in his area code — I think he means it. Just give Jakobi a chance and he’s going to come down with it."

Finley was 29-for-43 passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns.

"I just think I understand (the position Finley is in)," Meyers, a former quarterback himself, said. "I know you have guys that’s two times bigger than you bearing down on you. So I know I got to get my eyes around, make a tough catch. If he can stand in there and take a hit, I can stand in there and make a catch."

The Dukes (0-1) had their own offensive success, putting up 365 yards and moving the ball well at times.

"We can’t let them down there that much, but to be able to bow up after long drives and find a way to win those third downs is huge," Doeren said. "… We really struggled with their quarterback scrambling around so that’s we’ve got to fix."

James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci was 23-for-27 passing and completed his first 15 attempts. He finished with 197 yards through the air and another 79 on the ground.

"I thought Ben did a good job. He came out and played exactly the way he has in practice the last two weeks," James Madison coach Mike Houston said. "I thought his composure was really good. He had the one mistake in the red zone. He needs to take care of the ball better right there, but that is a mistake he will grow from."

On the bright side, the Wolfpack was particularly strong defensively in the red zone, allowing James Madison to score just one touchdown in five trips to the red zone.

"James Madison is a good football team. We knew they would be," Doeren said. "Our red-zone defense was exceptional. They found a way to stop them."

The Wolfpack only managed 83 total rushing yards. Starting running back Reggie Gallaspy II gained 68 of those yards.

"I thought Reggie ran hard but I didn’t think our run game was as good as it will be in time," Doeren said. "We’re missing some parts right now, particularly at tight end. As you guys saw, Dylan Autenrieth and Dylan Parham are still out with injuries, and Steph (Louis) couldn’t play because of an injury."

• Wolfpack defensive tackle Eurndraus Bryant scooped up a fumble late in the second quarter and eventually fumbled himself while returning it. As he went to recover, he was hit by the helmet of Dukes offensive lineman Jahee Jackson in the back of the head and then took another blow from N.C. State linebacker Isaiah Moore.

"He said when he hit the ground that his neck was locked up, so they had to do all the precautions," Doeren said. "He was fine. He was actually joking while he was down there like ‘did we get the ball?’ He was all mad that he fumbled. He’s OK. I talked to him at midfield after the game. "

Bryant was placed on a backboard and carted off the field, but gave a thumbs up to the crowd. He was transported to the hospital for precautionary X-rays, which ended up being negative. He later returned to the stadium and watched from the sideline.

• Former Eastern Alamance quarterback Hayden Mann, a freshman defensive back for James Madison, was not a part of the Dukes' travel roster.

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